MLB Player News

Lawrence signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Lawrence got into 15 games with the Cardinals in 2023, holding a 6.59 ERA and 20:10 K:BB over 27.1 innings. The 36-year-old figures to operate as swingman depth at Triple-A Tacoma.

McCaughan was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Wednesday.

The move clears space on the 40-man roster for Canaan Smith-Njigba, who was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh. McCaughan, who turns 28 next month, allowed three earned runs in five innings with the Mariners in 2023 and posted a 5.83 ERA in 25 starts with Triple-A Tacoma.

The Phillies claimed Castillo off waivers from the Red Sox on Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It's the third organization Castillo has been in since early January, as he previously had gone from the Royals to the Red Sox via waivers. He'll compete for a swingman role in Philadelphia but does have an option year remaining.

Duarte was designated for assignment by the Twins on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The Twins did some 40-man roster shuffling and Duarte is one of the casualties. He was just claimed off waivers last week and will now go through the waiver process again.

Balazovic was designated for assignment by the Twins on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

He's departing the 40-man roster in favor of Zack Weiss, who was claimed off waivers. Balazovic was once one of the Twins' best pitching prospects, but he didn't progress as hoped as a starter and his control has gotten worse since he was moved to relief full-time in 2023, with an 11.1 percent walk rate in the majors and 15.2 percent walk rate at Triple-A St. Paul.

The Twins claimed Weiss off waivers from the Red Sox on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old reliever holds a 4.61 ERA and 33:15 K:BB over 27.1 innings during parts of three seasons in the big leagues. Weiss will compete for a middle relief job in Minnesota, but he does have options remaining.

Warren (elbow) was designated for assignment by the Angels on Wednesday.

The move was made in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Guillermo Zuniga. Warren will be sidelined until around midseason while recovering from Tommy John surgery, which no doubt will affect his appeal on waivers.

The Angels acquired Zuniga from the Cardinals on Wednesday in exchange for cash consideration.

Zuniga allowed one run over two innings during his brief time with St. Louis in 2023 and held a 7.63 ERA and 37:20 K:BB over 30.2 frames at Triple-A Memphis. The 25-year-old has a big arm but also major control problems. Zuniga will compete for a spot in the Angels' bullpen.

Ort was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

He's being swapped out in favor of another reliever, Declan Cronin, who was claimed off waivers. Ort himself was a waiver claim by the Marlins earlier this offseason and now could be on the move again.

The Marlins claimed Cronin off waivers from the Astros on Wednesday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

It's the third organization Cronin has been in this offseason after he previously went from the White Sox to the Astros via waivers. The 26-year-old sinkerballer allowed 11 runs over 11 innings for Chicago in 2023 in his first go-round in the majors.